how much land needed

[ATM]

I am thinking about buying some land out west for pheasant hunting and I was just wondering how much land is needed to hold a good population of pheasants, I know it depends on the quality of habitat but in general could we get by with 50-100 acres. Adam

[Mayfly]

If you had 50-100 acres it wouldn't take that long to cover it. If I had the money to buy land for hunting i'd buy 400 acres

[Blaze]

I'm with Mayfly. 100 acres may a good start to hit early and late in the day, but I would want it close to good public land to hunt throughout the day cuz 100 acres will get covered pretty fast by a couple guys and a dog.

** That being said - any land is better than NO LAND (which is my situation right now...)

[This message has been edited by Blaze (edited 06-04-2004).]

[jlm]

I agree, 100 acres is not a lot. However, if you plant the right habitat, it could hold a tremendous amount of birds. Some CRP mixtures can be very, very thick and at times very high (depending on the seed content). Additionally, if you have a good chunk of cattails, that would also provide good cover. Plant a few acres of corn and other assorted treats for the birds smack dab in the middle and you will have it made. Birds from other areas will replace the ones you take if there is adequate hunting pressure around you! Just my 2 cents!

[ATM]

Guys thanks for the info, I found 50 acres out by Benson I am going to purchase would love to buy more but it is just not in the budget, I am hoping the people with surrounding land will give me access. The land I am going to purchase has a small cattail slough and a small shelter belt. If all else fails I have 50 acres to train my pointer on. Adam

[bigbucks]

ATM,

I've have 50 acres myself along a small river. I have about 10 acres of cattails & swamp, 30 acres of field & yard (part of that planted in trees, but there still small & have to be mowed) & another 10 is thick woods. I'd say between hens & roosters there's as many as a half-dozen birds in that river bottom a lot of the time. I have yet to make a serious attempt to go after them as am too much of a bowhunting addict, but they're there. If my whole land was unmowed grassland, with some water like you said, I think it'd be much better. That Benson area is absolutely loaded with pheasants.

[Blaze]

Adam - congrats on picking up some land. Enjoy your time out there!